Randy Kim

Franz Beckenbauer: Der Kaiser weighs in on Klopp, Dante and Bayern’s CL hopes

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Beckenbauer looks on pensively as he answers questions from journalists in NYC.

NEW YORK — When it comes to recent developments in the Bundesliga, it’d be hard to argue that anything tops the news that Jurgen Klopp is taking leave of Borussia Dortmund at the end of this season.

[ RELATED: Guardiola believes Bayern can win ]

And knowing how much of a thorn Klopp has been in Bayern Munich’s side over the last few years, it’d also be hard to argue that such an announcement should be met with anything other than glee by Bayern. Your chief rival’s heavy metal gaffer is moving along. Mia san marvelous, no?

Well, not if you’re club legend Franz Beckenbauer. For Der Kaiser, it’s actually a sad day for the Bavarians.

Speaking at the club’s tiny midtown Manhattan offices to help announce Bayern’s new partnership with MSN, Beckenbauer started out by stating he’s hopeful that Klopp would stay in Germany.

“I hope [Klopp] will stay in the Bundesliga,” admitted Beckenbauer. “Everybody is asking [where he’ll wind up] … Not at Bayern Munich, because we have an excellent coach with Pep Guardiola, but I think the rest would be very, very happy to have the interest of Jurgen Klopp, to get him.”

Beckenbauer also empathized with Klopp’s decision to call an abrupt end to his Dortmund days, arguing that a coach’s impact on his players will eventually wane over time.

“I understand him personally, because seven years to be the coach of the same team; it’s a long, long time,” said Beckenbauer. “There comes a time … [you use] the same motivation [tactics] but the players, they’re not listening like five years ago, or four years ago. That’s the way [Borussia] played this season. He realized it’s very, very difficult to bring them back to the old performance, so that’s when he said, ‘OK, I did a lot the last seven years, but now, it’s finished.’”

source: Getty Images
Beckenbauer wants Klopp to stay in Germany.

Beckenbauer then compared Klopp’s career arc to his own experience coaching the national side.

“It’s the same with me when I coached the German national team for six years,” said Beckenbauer. “After six years, I find out, no, there is no motivation any more. And before everybody realized I’m not motivated anymore, I said, no. I quit. I stop. It was my decision. And it’s the same with Jurgen Klopp.”

Befitting of someone who is poised to start work as a columnist for Bayern’s U.S. media properties, Beckenbauer then tugged on the assembled media’s heartstrings a bit by admitting that the German league isn’t just better with Klopp around, but it actually needs him.

“I hope that he takes [his next] challenge in the Bundesliga,” said Beckenbauer in slightly hushed tones. “Because we need him. He’s an excellent coach, and as we know, he’s also an excellent guy. Very, very good character.”

Beckenbauer’s compassion play didn’t stop there. At least not completely, as he ladeled out a partial dollop of contrition for some prickly words he handed out following Bayern’s sluggish 3-1 first-leg loss at Porto in the Champions League quarterfinals last Tuesday.

“Yeah, I made a mistake [with the harsh comments], I know,” admitted Beckenbauer. “But I was so angry … and then after 10 minutes, you’re 2-0 down. It’s a quarterfinal of the Champions League, and they made so many individual mistakes. I never saw this before. To see the passes, they passed the ball and there was no one there. I thought they took sleeping pills. Really, it looked like that. Porto was much faster and [had] more willpower.”

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The German legend was keen to apologize for his critical comments about Bayern.

Beckenbauer also apologized for saying Brazilian defender Dante played like he was “wearing his ski boots.”

“I feel very sorry to give [Dante] the ski boots [comment],” admitted Beckenbauer. “But he’s a Brazilian, and a Brazilian means, for me, you know, with their technique … And Pele; that’s Brazilian for me. But not this way, to give the ball easy away.”

Yet all is not lost to Beckenbauer, as he thinks the reigning German champs can still turn things around against the Portugese underdogs in Tuesday’s second leg.

“If [Bayern] play like they play [in the first leg], no chance,” said Beckenbauer. “But they are able to turn the result, so they can win the game 2-0. Even if they give up a goal, they have a chance with 3-1 to get into overtime. So they have a chance.”

Regardless of the result, however, Beckenbauer’s own form as a pundit seems to be soaring at present. From Klopp the beloved to Dante on the slopes, the only thing Der Kaiser has to guard against is using up all of his best material during press events.

11 Things From AC Milan’s Training Session in New York

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UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Summers spent stateside have become de rigueur for Europe’s top clubs. From Arsenal to Liverpool to reigning European champs Real Madrid, it seems as though all of UEFA’s heavy hitters are here in the States. Indeed, the footballing talent pool currently assembled on these shores would give Brazil circa mid-June a serious run for its money.

Now you can add Mario Balotelli and AC Milan to that impressive list.

The Rossoneri touched down at JFK on Wednesday, and shortly afterwards they piled into a bus and drove out to Long Island to partake in a closed-door scrimmage with NASL side, the New York Cosmos.

The scrimmage didn’t wind up taking place — no explanation was given as to why Milan backed out of playing Pele’s former club — but both sides held training sessions that were viewed by the media and a select group of supporters.

Here are 11 takeaways from what was seen at the Cosmos’ training ground on Wednesday.

1. Balotelli’s big here too: Even in doing nothing, Mario Balotelli somehow dominated the proceedings in L.I. He was the last one off the bus when Milan arrived, but drew by far the most applause from the fans outside the locker room. He put forth minimal effort during training, but the assembled media was discussing his every move. He was the last one out of the locker room upon leaving, but the fans waited until the very end just to catch a glimpse of his blonde mohawk. Ever the showman, he lived up to his legend by doing very little. Which is usually the way of cool, no?

2. Gentleman Honda: Attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda was one of two players made available to the media after practice (Sulley Muntari was the other) and despite giving off a cocksure air on the pitch, the Japanese international was a humble gentleman off of it. He answered every question politely and even tried his best to add insight to a difficult question about whether he thinks fellow Japanese international Shinji Kagawa’s future really lies at Manchester United. “He is my friend,” replied Honda. “I (hope) he will play very good at Manchester United. Or maybe he will transfer to another team also, where he can play better.”

3. Muntari talks World Cup exit: Along with Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari was famously sent home from the World Cup early by the Ghanaian football federation. While Muntari didn’t fully disclose why he was sent home, he said that he would tell all when the time was right. “It’s my country. I love my country,” said Muntari, when asked about Brazil. “There are certain things I want to say, but I will say them at the (right) time. So now, I just don’t want to talk about it, but my country’s always going to be my country.”

4. Pippo’s peppy practices: Milan spent most of the training session running an 11-v-11 drill across the width of the field that focused more on shape and distribution out of the back than actual attacking play. New coach Pippo Inzaghi was very hands-on, shouting instructions and chasing the ball throughout, and his involvement infused the drill with plenty of intensity. Hard play was the norm, with a couple of scary collisions taking place as well. After Milan’s lackluster 2013-14, Pippo’s serious approach could bode well for the Rossoneri’s upcoming Serie A campaign.

5. Big Adil: Despite playing in just 18 matches for Milan last season, central defender Adil Rami was easily the most vocal player on the pitch on Wednesday. The French international’s booming voice was heard constantly during practice. He and ex-Chelsea center back Alex were arguably the most impressive backline players during the extended 11-v-11 drill.

6. Dang, Niang: The attacking player who impressed the most during training was 19-year-old French forward M’Baye Niang. The lanky forward has tremendous pace, as well as skill on the ball. He’s one of those players who makes the game look far easier than it really is.

7. Ladies in red (hats): As both clubs are sponsored by Emirates airline, there were six female flight attendants in attendance for the entirety of Wednesday’s training session. Donning their signature tan dress-suits and red hats, they stood in a straight line for the entire two hours. In all honesty, it was a touch curious.

8. Big name missing: Brazilian forward Robinho was not in attendance on Wednesday, and is apparently not touring with the club this summer. Those MLS rumors just might have some credibility, after all.

9. El Staaraway: With his signature dyed mohawk-pompadour hairdo and a sly grin on his face, Stephan El Shaaraway was easily the second-most popular Milan player with the stateside fans. He and Super Mario seem to have the ability to draw attention from supporters as easily as they do rival defenders.

10. Lazy, but Super Mario: Surprising no one, Balotelli was the picture of indifference during the club’s stretching exercises. But when he did put forth the effort to run at a full clip during competitive sprints, it was a sight to behold. It’s just rare to find players his size who can move as gracefully — and as quickly — as he does.

11. Chuffed ex-Chelsea lads: At this point in their careers, one would expect veteran stars Michael Essien and Alex to be indifferent to enthusiastic receptions from autograph-hungry fans. But both players were all smiles and genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves as they signed jerseys and took selfies with the local supporters. It was a bit touching, to be honest. Maybe both players are wise enough to drink these moments in during the latter stages of their impressive careers.